Illuminated sign



NOV. 12, R. E GEARHART ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed May '7, 1934 5Sheets-Sheeffl l M f f 52"@ 1&1@- 56 4/0 1 l 1 I 1 I l l l I I I,

' INVENTOR, 7305/ Z.' @ear/75m?.

ATTORNEY.

Nov. 12, 1935.\ R. E GEARHART ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed May 7, 1954 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, Zay Geef/fan.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ILLUMINATEDSIGN Application May 7, 1934, Serial No. 724,276

16 Claims.

This invention relates to sign structures of the illuminated type andhas for its primary object, the provision of means within such a signfor directing and redirecting the rays of light and acting upon saidrays to such an extent that the effect will be concentrated upon theface panel of the sign structure and will present to the observer whatappears to be animated objects.

One of the important aims of the invention is to provide in an animatedsign, unique and novel means for reflecting rays of light, which meansare formed and disposed in such combinations as will produce unusual andnovel effects upon the face panel of the sign, which, in turn, is madein a particular manner to have a large number of translucent, hollowdomes into which at least a portion of the light rays is projectedsuccessively for varying distances to the end that luminescent domeshaving intermittent periods of greater or lesser illumination arepresented to the eye of the observer as the result of combining saiddomes with the unusual reiecting surfaces.

An even further object of the instant invention is to provide signapparatus having therein a plurality of mobile reecting surfaces,together with a prism that is adapted to produce spectra as the mobilereflectors direct rays of light through the said prism.

A large number of minor objects of the invention will, of necessity,appear in the following speciiication because of the unique manner inwhich the results are obtained when embodying the concepts of thisinvention in a sign structure.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a face View of a sign made in accordance with the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal, longitudinal section through the same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical, central, cross section through the sign casing.

Fig. 4 is a cross section through the sign casing, taken on line IV-IVof Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is another cross section taken on line V-V of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 4,and looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed view taken on line VII-VIIof Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on line VlII-VIII of Fig.7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, detailed view through a small portion of theface panel of the signs (Cl. l0-126) and one of the domes which isaiiixed to the same.

Fig. 10 is a similar view, showing a coated dome in place.`

Fig. 1l is a sectional View through a portion 5 of the face panel of thesign, taken on line XI-XI of Fig. 1.

Fig. l2 is a side elevation of one of the forms of prisms that may beused in the sign.

Fig. 13 is an end elevation of the same.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal, horizontal, cross section taken through asign casing made to embody one modified form of the invention.

Fig. 15 is al face View of said sign, but with parts broken away forclearness. l5 Fig. 16 is a horizontal, sectional view through a signcasing made to embody still another form of the invention.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary, sectional View through a sign casing, whereinis disposed a plurality of 2o mobile reflectors made to embody stillanother modification of this invention, and,

Fig. 18 is a detailed, fragmentary, sectional view taken on line XVIII-XVIII oi Fig. 16.

One of the preferred manners of constructing an animated sign is shownin Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive and therein the basic concepts areexemplified because of the inclusion of all of the major elements whichcontribute in the production of a sign having the characteristics foundto be commercially desirable. In constructing the sign, there must beprovided a casing 26 that is made of any suitable material and formed tohouse the working parts of the sign structure and to carry across oneside thereof, a face panel 22 that comprises a sheet of opaque,translucent or transparent material or a. combination of all, dependingupon the nature of the message to be conveyed through the sign. It hasbeen found desirable to superimpose sheets of colored, translucentmaterial upon the back or inner face of face panel 22 or, in the case ofmolded glass or like substance being used in constructing said panel,coloring material" may be infused or painted upon the inner surface.

An exceptionally unique result is attained when sign panel 22 isprovided with a number of openings 24, in which is placed hollow,transparent or translucent domes 26 as detailed in Figs. 9 and 10. Theformer gure illustrates an ordinary 50 capsule-like dome that isuncoated, while the latter illustrates a dome 26 that has a coating 28thereon in the form of the conventional frosting or any suitable colorthat may be effective.

When making the sign, openings 2li may be 55 ceptionally live effectwill be produced. Panel 22 may be of a compositive type, in that arecess El@ may be formed to receive any displayed article 32, such asthe bottleeshown in Figs. l, 2 and l1, and may also be gures 84 moldedinto the panel 22, all to the end that light passing through the panelwill be reflected and refracted for the purpose of attracting attentionthereto.

Within casing 2B there is placed a number of electric light bulbs 38 forthe purpose of illumihating sign panel 22. In most instances it will befound preferable to install shields 88 between light bulbs 88 and panel22V because this invention contemplates the use of indirect rays, all ofwhich are acted upon by mobile reflectors. VOne form of reflector orreflectors is illustrated in Fig. 2 and comprises one or more endlessbelts 40, upon which is mounted, in an angular position, a series ofreflectors 42. Belts YlilY travel around pulleys 44 driven by motor itthrough the mediumof belt 48. Two of bulbs 36 `are positioned betweenthe stretches of belt 48 and a reflecting surface 58 should be mountedupon the rear wall of casing 2li. Two auxiliary, stationary reflectors52 extend across the opposite corners of casing 2U for the purposehereinafter set down.

A prism 54 is rotatably mounted in the positionshown in Figs. 2 and 3and is turned by motor itlV through the use of belt 58 which is drivenby the rotation of shaft 58 that, in turn, carries another type ofmobile reflector. V1t Vis the Vpurpose of this prism to produce aspectrum or a large number'of colored, intermittent flashesand toeectively carry out this object of the invention, a specially formedshield 88, having one or more slits 82 therein is mounted between prism54 and light 88 Where the mobile reiiectors 42 will periodically castrays of light of great intensity through said slits.

As both Vreflectors 42 and prism 54 are moved, colored lights will bedirected into the adjacent domes 2E at varying distances and a mostunusual and unexpected result is attained.V This prism t4, or any numberof them, may be used directly behind the groups of domes 28, outlining acharacter such as shown in Fig. 1, and in order to preclude prism l'fromcasting rays of light beyond the area of the character, a confininghousing 84 should be employed. Vertical shaft 58 is likewise rotated bymotor "it and the spiral reflector 88 extending around the axis of shaft58 will catch rays from the adjacent bulb t8 and project them across thearea of panel 22 that is outlined to illustrate steam such as shown at68. The effect produced is one that may be utilized in illustratingrising steam, heat waves, or flowing water, a smallerstationaryrreflector lil may also be built into the sign to -directconstant raysrof light to another group of domes 28.

. passage of light to It oftentimes becomes desirable to producerealistic effects by covering a part of panelZ to preclude'light frompassing thereto and also to have means for imparting colors atpredetermined times to certain selected areas of the panel; As anexample of this inventions fulfillment of such a desirability, there isshown a stein l2 that is'the embodiment of the molded figure 54previously mentioned. Behind thisflgure 34 is disposed a suitablechamberr'li having walls that allows the gure 34 from but one direction.Adjacent light 3Bwill have Vits raysV cast into chamber 14 by angledreflector 52 and before the light rays are permitted to pass throughpanel 22, forming figure 34, they may be acted upon by two movablemembers shown in Figs. 2, ll, 6, 7 and 8. These members are motivated 5by motor i5 through belts 48, 58 and 18 and a vertical shaft 'I8operates horizontal shaft 80 through the medium of miter gears 82.

A cam 84 mounted on shaft '|8 moves shields '88 and 88 respectively backand forth Abehind 10V figure 84 so as to produce the effect of stein 12being filled and then the foam 98 overflowing therefrom. The constantturning of shaft 18 will raise and lower shields 86 and 88 in propertime and because the former is colored, its re- 15 ciprocation willproduce the effect of liquid raising and lowering'in stein 12. Shield 88is opaque and will block off foam until such time as cam 84 raises orlowers shield 88, which will produce the effect of foam flowing fromstein 12. Each 20 of shields 86 and 88 is provided with arms 92 and 84respectively that are pivotally mounted as at 88, as illustrated in Fig.6.

The operation of this particular part of the sign has been made clearand it is manifest that 25 many effects may be produced by embodying thebroad idea in slightly modied forms.

Figs. l2 and 13 illustrate a modified form of prism that may be employedin the place of prism 54.V This prism 98 has a cross sectional 30contour as shown in Fig. 13 and the multiplicity of variously formedfaces thereon will, obviously, produce unusual effects when placed whereprism 5d is located in the preferred form.

In Figs. 14 and 15, the broad idea of incor- 35 porating a multiplicityof mobile reflecting surfaces is embodied in those rotatable membersite, |82, |84 and |06. The first mentioned presents a numberY of concavereflecting surfaces, while |02 presents convex surfaces. The three 40central members IDB-present flat reflecting surv faces, and as all ofthese members are rotated by motor |88, lightV rays from bulbs I0 areintermittently directed toward different zones on the moving panel ||2.45

This panel Vis in the form of an endless belt` and reflectors ||4 arepositioned between ||2 and the movable reflecting surfaces so that nodirect light from bulbs ||0 is allowed to impinge upon or pass throughH2. Panel H2 is mounted 50 upon rollers ||6 having axial pintles ||8journalled in casing |20, the rear wall of which has a stationaryreflector |22 that extends over the area behind reflectors |80, |62, |44and |06.

There may be a sheet of protecting glass |24 in 55 front of panel ||2and figures such as shown at |28 are painted upon movable panel ||2 sothat the reflecting surfaces is a spiral |28 which reflects light frombulb |30 having shield |32 be- 65 tween panel |34Y and said bulb |30.This reflect-Y ing 4surface will direct light rays across the face ofVpanel |34 as it is rotated about its axis by motor |36, geared as at|38 toproperly reduceY the speed of motor |36 to that desired for spiral70 i28. lIf desired, another intermittently movable group of reflectorplates |40 maybe drivenby the rotation of spiral |28. Shaft |42 forminga part of spiral |28, has an eccentric pin |44 in engagement with slots|46 formed in the outturned ends 75 Hi8 of plates |40, which endsoverlap as illustrated in Fig. 18. Plates |40 are pivotally mounted asat l5@ so that oscillation about the pivotal point may take place asspiral |28 is rotated.

In the event it is desired to produce the effect of a wheel rotating onsign panel |52, a group of radially extending reflectors |54 may bepivotally mounted as at Hit in casing |58 to direct rays of light frombulb it@ to panel E52. As is the intent of this invention, a shield |62is interposed between bulb lili and panel |52 to insure that onlyindirect rays reach the image painted on said panel.

From the foregoing it will be` obvious that the embodying of the broadconcepts of this invention in various forms of structure will permitbuilding the unique and novel sign that will produce exceptional resultsemploying but a minimumnumber of parts. A composite panel producingvarious effects may be had without a great amount of expense over thatrequired to produce a sign having but a single effect, and it isunderstood that more modifications than those illustrated and describedmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or `scopeof the appended claims.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A sign of the character described comprising, in combination, acasing; mobile reflector housed by the casing; a light bulb mounted tocast light rays upon the said reflector; a prism to intercept certain ofthe rays reflected by the rncb"e reflector; an-d means forintermittently actuating the said reflector.

2. A sign of the character described comprising, in combination, acasing; a mobile reflector formed to intermittently cast rays of lightfrom the bulb toward a given zone within said casing; and a prism withinsaid Zone to intercept the said rays of light whereby the same are castupon the sign face as a spectrum.

3. A sign of the character described comprising, in combination, acasing; a mobile reflector housed by the casing; a light bulb mounted tocast light rays upon the said mobile reflector; a rotatable prism tointercept the light rays from reflector; and common means for actuatingthe said reflector and prism.

Il. A sign of the character described comprising, in combination, acasing having a face panel across one side thereof; a mobile reflectorwithin the casing; a light bulb to cast light rays upon said reflector;a prism mounted between the said face panel and the said reflectors tointercept light rays from the latter; and a shield having restrictedopenings formed therein disposed between the reflector and prism to forma concentrated beam of the light rays before they strike said prism.

5. A sign of the character described comprising, in combination, acasing having a face panel across one side thereof; a mobile reflectorwithin thC` casing; a light bulb to cast light rays upon said reflector;a prism mounted between the said face panel and the said reflectors tointercept light rays from the latter; and ashield having restrictedopenings formed therein disposed between the reflector and prism to forma concentrated beam of the light rays before they strike said prism,said prism being adapted to rotate whereby its several facessuccessively intercept the said concentrated beam of light rays.

6. A sign of the character described comprising, a casing having atransparent face panel across one side thereof; a plurality of lightbulbs mounted within the casing and behind the face panel; a reflectordisposed between each of said r light bulbs respectively and said panel;a series of mobile reflecting surfaces rearwardly of the light bulbs andreflectors; and means for moving the said reflecting surfaces whereby todirect rays of light from the said light bulbs past said reflectors tothe said face panel.

'7. A sign of the character described comprising, a casing having atransparent face panel across one side thereof; a plurality of lightbulbs mounted within the casing and behind the face panel; a reflectordisposed between each of said light bulbs respectively and said panel; aseries of mobile reflecting surfaces rearwardly of the light bulbs andreflectors; and means for moving the said reflecting surfaces whereby todirect rays of light from the said light bulbs past said reflectors tothe said face panel, said series of mobile reflectors being mounted uponan endless belt to travel past the said light bulbs.

8. A sign of the character described comprising, a casing having atransparent face panel across one side thereof; a plurality of lightbulbs mounted within the casing and behind the face panel; a reflectordisposed between each of said light bulbs respectively and said panel; aseries of mobile reflecting surfaces rearwardly .of the light bulbs andreflectors; and means for moving the said reflecting surfaces whereby todirect rays of light from the said light bulbs past said reflectors tothe said face panel, one of said reflectors being mounted upon an axisand specially positioned thereabout whereby to cause a succession oflight rays to impinge upon the said face panel along a given path.

9. A sign of the character described comprising, a casing having atransparent face panel across one side thereof; a plurality of lightbulbs mounted within the casing and behind the face panel; a reectordisposed between each of said light bulbs respectively and said panel; aseries of mobile reflecting surfaces rearwardly of the light bulbs andreflectors; and means for moving the saidv reflecting surfaces wherebyto direct rays of light from the said light bulbs past said reflectorsto the said face panel, said series of mobile reflectors being mountedupon an endless belt to travel past the said light bulbs, and projectedoutwardly therefrom at angles to the plane of the face panel of thesign.

10. In a sign of the character described having a casing with a facepanel across one side thereof; a plurality of light bulbs mounted withinthe casing; a series of reflectors to direct rays of light through saidface panel; and means for periodically positioning sheets of colored,translucent material between certain given zones of the face panel andthe light bulbs.

l1. In a sign of the character described having a casing with a facepanel across one side thereof; a plurality of light bulbs mounted withinthe casing; a series of reflectors to direct rays of light through saidface panel; and means for periodically positioning sheets of opaquematerial over certain given Zones of the face panel to preclude thepassage of light therethrough.

l2. In a sign of the character described having a casing with a facepanel across one side Y lucent material between certain parts of theVface panel and the light bulb and sheets of opaque material overadjacent zones of said panel. v Y

13. In a sign of the kind described, a casing having a perforated facepanel across one side thereof; a translucent, outwardly projected,hollow dome mounted in each perforation respectively of the said panel;a light bulb within the casing behind the said panel; a shield betweenthe panel and said light bulb to preclude direct passage of light raysinto the said domes; and a series of mobile reflectors in the casingbehind said light bulb whereby to successively project rays of lightfrom the said bulb into the domes from constantly changing points withinthe cas- 14. In a sign of the kind described, a casing having Vaperforated face panel across one side thereof; a translucent, outwardlyprojected, hollow dome mounted in each perforation respectively of thesaid panel; a light bulb within the casing behind said panel; a shieldhaving a slit formed therein between the panel and said light bulb ;Y aprism mounted between said shield and panel to intercept light rayspassing through the said slits in the shield; and a series of mobilereflectors in the casing behind said light bulb the Vsaid bulb throughsaid slitsand prism and into said domes from changing points Within thecasing.

V15. In a sign of the character described, a casing; a perforated panelacross one sidelof the casing; an opaque, outwardly projected, hollowdome mounted in each perforation respectively; a stationary light bulbWithin the casing; means to shield the direct rays from said bulbagainst passing through said perrorations; a series of movable relectorsbehind said'light bulb to project rays of light into said domes fromconstantly changing points within the casing; a rotatable prismintercepting certain of said rays of light;V and common meansV formoving both the reiectors and prism.

16. In a sign of the character described, a casing having a panel acrossone side thereof; al light bulb behind said panel; a shield between saidlight bulb and panel to preclude the direct passage of light rays fromthe light bulb to the panel; and a series of movable reiiecting surfacesbehind said light bulb to direct light rays from the bulb to the panel,said panel being movable simultaneously with the said reecting surfacesto create an animated effect on the eye of the observer.

ROY E. GEARHART.

